Torn between living near family or friends! Your opinion?

I'd have to say move close to your friends. Not that being with family isn't important, but in my experience it is much easier to fall out of touch with friends with family. It's like you go your separate ways and talk now and then, but eventually you lose track of them and grow apart. Sad. With family you will always be in touch cuz you have no other choice lol. At least the family all lives in one spot so you can see them all at once when you visit them..